Social Impact
Our Social Impact programme was created so that, together and individually, we can make a positive difference in the communities we live and work in, both locally and globally.
At CMS, our purpose is to inspire, impact and support our clients, people, industry sectors and communities, and to deliver excellence. Guiding all our work are the UN Global Goals and our commitment to the UN Global Compact.
Our Social Impact programme was created so that, together and individually, we can make a positive difference in the communities we live and work in, both locally and globally.
We’re committed to addressing our impact on the environment and have set ambitious climate action commitments. CMS was one of the first firms globally to announce and set carbon reduction targets approved by the Science-based targets initiative (SBTi). We’re committed to reducing emissions by 50% by 2030, and to being Net Zero by 2050 at the latest.
Here are some examples of our Social Impact work
We carry out advisory and research pro bono casework across a range of legal areas for local and international charities and social enterprises. By supporting them with their legal needs, we help these organisations focus on delivering social impact. The CMS London and Ukraine offices provided pro bono support to the Superhumans Center, which opened a state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre providing free medical services, body reconstruction and prosthetic limbs, as well as support for those experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Ukraine.
Young Citizens is a national charity promoting citizenship education and social action throughout primary and secondary education in the UK. CMS has a long history of delivering their Legal Experts in Schools and Legal Workshop programmes, with volunteers running interactive sessions on subjects such as social media, human rights and migration. We worked with Young Citizens to develop an award-winning resource on climate action and the law, which has reached an estimated 107,000 young people since it launched in 2021.
Every week, over 70 CMS volunteers take part in Chapter One, an online 1:1 virtual reading programme that pairs corporate volunteers with children aged 5–7 who are struggling with reading. They read stories and play games that build fluency, comprehension and phonics and, most importantly, foster reading confidence and enjoyment.
Our bees and biodiversity programme, launched in 2022, has been a success in the UK and internationally. Staff are encouraged to visit the hives and get involved in gardening projects hosted at our offices and at local community organisations.
We have a network of over 100 Sustainability Champions across our UK and international offices — a voluntary role open to anyone with a passion for sustainability. Champions share ideas and support new initiatives in their team or office. September is Sustainability Month at CMS, with ESG information, activities and training available to everyone.
We partner with legal advice clinics in universities and communities throughout the UK, such as the Islington Law Centre and Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre. These clinics are essential hubs for legal aid, guidance and community support, helping bridge the justice gap for vulnerable people. Our lawyers advise on subjects such as utility disputes, landlord and tenant problems, consumer complaints and employment issues.
CMS was selected as a Pro Bono Legal Adviser to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), hosted by the UAE. More than 160 CMS lawyers worldwide volunteered to provide pro bono legal advice on topics ranging from sustainability finance to UN partnerships. Our delegation also co-hosted events, including a panel discussion on how the law can unite and act to deliver the UN SDGs. Our participation is a testament to our commitment to being part of the solution in the fight against climate change.
